Yanda was waiting inside the gate for Kelton. She gave him a smile, and he returned an exhausted one. Filgot opened the gate and patted his shoulder in sympathy as Kelton returned home. It was a welcome gesture.

"I was worried," Yanda said, taking Kelton's hand.

"Did Master not tell you the reason?"

"Aye." Yanda's voice lowered to a whisper. "I did not trust the soldier's words."

"In this, they spoke true," Kelton assured her. "In some ways, a beating would have been more desirable."

"Did your teacher die well?"

"Aye. As well as anyone of great age can."

"Then it is not a bad thing," Yanda said. "All must go. Not all can do so with a friend. I think he had love for you."

"I think he loves those who learn," Kelton agreed, then he chuckled. "I think he loves those who learn from him. It was his purpose, as he saw it."

"And you gave him that. A good death with purpose fulfilled. I would desire as much at my end." Yanda entwined her arm with Kelton's. "I see in your eyes, it was hard. Know that it was worth the cost."

Kelton stopped walking and embraced Yanda. She held him and shared the grief. After a moment, she separated and kissed his forehead. Pride and compassion. There was nothing more Kelton could ask of his sister or a friend.

"He is gone to the All-Father?" Bellina strolled forward with some hesitance. Eveyin and Sara trailing behind.

"Aye, Mistress," Kelton replied. "The two should be arguing the nature of things at this very moment." That brought a weak smile to Bellina. "I sent your love to him."

"For that, I thank you dearly," Bellina said. "He was my favorite teacher. Always teaching beyond the subject at hand."

"He thought highly of you as well, Mistress," Kelton said.

Bellina presented a soft smile. "Yanda told me you were looking forward to the storytellers. I have persuaded one, the best one I judged." She looked back at Sara and Eveyin, who nodded their agreement of her assessment. "He will return this night after the young ones find their beds. A few stories around a fire with words no longer weakened for young ears."

"That is welcome news, Mistress," Kelton said. He would have his escape after all.

"Good," Bellina said. "Go see your Master, so he knows you have returned safe. Then get some rest, so you don't nod off during the telling." She looked at Yanda. "You will see to it?"

"Aye, my Lady," Yanda replied.

"I like her," Kelton told Yanda on their way to the main house.

"Aye," Yanda said as if it were obvious. "She sees what others do not. It is needed here."

Vasco was sitting crossways on a bench, letting the fine afternoon weather warm him. There was a mug in his hand that Kelton assumed held wine. He raised it at Kelton's approach but made no effort to alter his position.

"You relax well," Kelton said.

"Aye," Vasco agreed. "Three days left, and our future Mistress sees to all things with her people from Mila. It is wonderful to think of nothing. Did you enjoy the teller last night?"

"Aye," Kelton replied. "I have only heard one better."

"Gossamer?" Vasco whispered.

Kelton nodded, surprised that Vasco remembered the name. "I enjoyed the story of the miner, the one who dug too deep. It would be an adventure to go where none have gone before." He moved Vasco's feet and sat at the far end of the bench. "Would you not find that exciting?"

"If memory serves, he dug to demons," Vasco said as he adjusted to maintain his lazy comfort. "You have that look in your eye."

"What?" Kelton asked, deploying a faux innocence.

"That look you get when you wish to change the movement of the sun." Vasco laughed at his joke. Kelton was sure there was wine in the mug.

"I find the sun moves as it should," Kelton said. "It is the shadows I wish to shift." Vasco spilled some wine as his laughter increased. He was forced to sit upright to spare the rest of the mug.

"Korvin gave me a map and shared with me his desire to follow it. I find the idea intriguing, and if it is a true map, profitable as well."

"Treasure?" Vasco asked, the humor still alive in his eyes.

"In a way," Kelton said with a nod. "It is an old map and shows a path through the western jungle. It was the desire of the first King."

"And how did Korvin come by such a thing?" Vasco asked as he took a sip from his mug.

"Stole it from the library." Kelton smiled at the shocked look in Vasco's eyes. "From a room he should not have been." Kelton stalled Vasco's coming complaint with his palm. "By her word, the Queen has bid me to keep it. And before you ask, she was aware of its contents and how Korvin acquired it."

"Does Master know?"

"Not as yet," Kelton replied. "I was hoping to generate some guesses of sums such a path would provide. It is my intent to do as Korvin desired, and make the gamble worth the house's time."

"And what of the King?" Vasco asked. He was sitting straighter, his mug now idle in his lap. "Will it not inflame his dislike of you. Mayhap, he will disassemble this house as well as your bones."

"I will ask the King before bringing it to Master," Kelton said with a shrug. Vasco laughed again, then let it petered out as Kelton did not join in.

"You will ask the King?"

"Aye," Kelton replied. "I have been given a way to warn him before I step where I do not belong." Vasco's head tilted as he looked at Kelton. "I do not think he desires to end me, or others. Mayhap, he will say no, and I will drop the scheme. Mayhap, he will not care."

"Property talking to a King?" Vasco said, not expecting an answer.

"He does the talking," Kelton clarified. "This time, I will listen with both ears. I do not desire to risk others by assumption."

"You wish my help with the sums?"

"Aye."

"This day?"

"Nay," Kelton said. "I only desired to broach the subject while you had wine in your hand. I have learned it has a way of weakening the mind." He smiled.

Vasco laughed. The wine was warping his mind well. "Aye, it does do that." Vasco raised his mug and took another sip. "You should join me in doing nothing, and I will help you with the sums when the festival ends."

"Mayhap, one mug," Kelton said, and left to gather one. After all, Vasco had agreed to his desires.

When Kelton returned, Vasoc raised his mug again and said, "To digging for demons." Kelton smiled, tapped his cup to Vasco's, and took a sip.

Yanda did not look pleased when she collected Kelton later that evening. He had not stopped at one mug as planned.

"You must wake," Yanda said, breaking into Kelton's strange dreams. She was wiping his head with a damp cloth.

"It is still the festival, is it not?" Kelton asked, wondering if he slept for two days. His head felt heavy and stomach sour.

"Aye," Yanda replied. She dipped her cloth in water and again cleaned his face. The cool water felt good, though more sleep would feel better.

"Then, why must I wake?"

"You must teach me the stones," Yanda said. "We are to compete against the Zello and Alliette."

"Do you think that wise?" Kelton asked, wondering if beating his Master and Mistress had ramifications. Maybe it would be worse to lose.

"Nay, it is not wise," Yanda said. "It is what I told the Princess." She gritted her teeth. "She told me she understood and had heard Sorinnian Princesses were not good at such things."

Kelton laughed, then regretted it when both his stomach and shoulder complained. His stomach due to last night's drink. His shoulder due to Yanda's slap.

"She is goading you," Kelton said, trying to stifle a grin.

"Aye. But I am Sorinnian and can not let it fade." Yanda shook her head and pointed a stern finger at Kelton. "You know this." Kelton sighed. More sleep was a dream. Kelton sat up with a groan.

"The cost for being feeble-minded," Yanda said. Kelton nodded. "Never again," She added. Kelton repeated his nod with more meaning. He wasn't sure how it happened last night. He and Vasco were trading words, then they fell into and odd synchronicity, agreeing with one another as if the world's problems had easy solutions. At the time, Kelton thought drink could cure many ills. Now, he realized it only made one ill. His second indulgence in drink was no better than the first.

Yanda forced him to stand, then washed Kelton from head to toe. The water soothed his skin as his stomach settled to the change in position. When she was complete, she handed him the cloth and waited. It didn't matter to her that his body wasn't ready to move. Resigned, Kelton returned the labor by washing Yanda. She did not allow him to be lax, forcing him to spots he missed. Penalty for swimming in wine. Odd, washing her was usually a pleasant task.

Kelton dressed and accompanied Yanda to the morning meal. He skipped solid food and stuck with tea. Yanda smirked as she ate pork strips and potatoes.

"No more wine," Kelton said as they walked outside. It earned him a kiss on the forehead. She was more mother than sister. A sister would have allowed him to sleep.

The stone's field now supported eight sets of sticks and circles. More were added at Tarvakian's suggestion. He told Kelton he enjoyed the idea of both young and old having little advantage over each other. It was especially fun when a young one threw a lucky stone that dismantled all that were thrown before it. Pride was a delicious meal for a little one.

It was early, so three of the sets were yet unmanned. The others were filled with those practicing, as Yanda and Kelton intended. They choose the last set.

"What is the best way?" Yanda asked as she tested the weight of a stone in her hand.

"A smooth arc," Kelton said, as he tossed a stone that arched through the air and landed just outside of the circle. "That way, it will stay close to where it lands."

"You need practice too," Yanda said, pointing to his errant stone.

"Aye," Kelton agreed. "It takes time to get the distance right." Yanda tossed her stone with no arc, and it bounced, then hit the stick. After which, it rolled well out of the circle.

"I miss better," Yanda said with pride.

"A miss is still..." Kelton began, then relented to her grin. "Aye, you miss better."

They practiced for a good deal of the morning. Yanda adding height to her throws and Kelton getting better at distance. He was feeling more human by the time his young Master and Mistress came upon them.

"Have you been practicing all morning?" Alliette asked.

"Aye, Mistress," Yanda replied. "Sorinnian's are skilled in such things. It is not much different than the bow. Are you sure you wish to compete?" It wasn't her words that caused Zello to roll his eyes; it was the implied superiority in her tone.

"I have no fear, Yanda," Alliette said. "Mayhap, I will go easy on you. Shall we take the far side?"

"Aye, Mistress," Yanda replied and led Alliette to the other stick with her head held high.

"It is a silly thing," Zello whispered to Kelton.

"Aye, Master. I do not know why the Princess set such a challenge."

Zello leaned closer to Kelton. "She desires a battle. She is jealous of Yanda's warrior training and told me she feels like a cow, her purpose being only to feed Yelvin." He shrugged. "It is better than swords."

"What if she loses. Master?" Kelton asked.

"What if Yanda loses?" Zello returned with a smile.

Kelton chuckled. "We lose, no matter what."

"Aye. Women are an adventure." Zello looked at his wife with admiring eyes. "And a grand adventure it is."

Zello and Alliette took some practice throws, then the best-of-three contest began in earnest. Spectators gathered to cheer good throws and groan when stones went awry. It was a mixed battle where the lead fluctuated with each set of stones thrown. Twice, a rope had to be used to measure the distance between stone and stick. Alliette and Zello won the first game, Yanda and Kelton the second. Both games by one-point margins. A break was called before the start of the final decisive game.

"You do not make it easy, Yanda," Alliette said as she sipped some water.

"I would not insult you, Mistress," Yanda returned with a smile. "In truth, I thought it would be simple, and now I struggle to be your equal."

"It is as if we are not throwing stones as well," Zello whispered to Kelton. They shared a chuckle before two stern looks stalled the humor. It was a war, Zello and Kelton mere foot soldiers.

"I meant to speak to you about Korvin," Zello changed the subject after pulling Kelton away from the others. "It is a hard thing you did. A proud thing in my mind."

"He was a good man, Master," Kelton said with a nod. "It wasn't hard when I sat with him. More difficult when it was over. I miss his mind, but I will always have the time he gave me."

"Nagada stories," Zello said with a nod.

"More than stories, Master. There is no doubt in my mind that the first King faced his match in them. That Korvin knew the language proves much. The King, and his fathers before him, kept scholars such as Korvin skilled in the subject. They would not do so if it were only myth."

"Nay, they would not."

"Korvin bade me to go and see for myself. Something his age would not allow."

"Would we not know of such people if they were still about?" Zello asked. "It seems a fool's errand to pursue the past without purpose."

"What if there were a dual purpose, Master?" Kelton was elated with the opening that Zello had given him. He had meant to wait, yet now it seemed a waste to allow the conversation to fade.

"You have that scheming look," Zello said, adding a smile. "I feel I should turn away and run before the soldiers come for me."

"Aye, Master. Adventure is only for the bold," Kelton said, then adopted a thoughtful look. "Was it not that way with house Barrenkee and Freetown?" Zello broke out in laughter.

"What is so funny?" Alliette asked as she and Yanda moved closer.

"Kelton is trying to tempt me, my love," Zello replied. "He dangles adventure seasoned with past success. I think he has learned from your tactics."

"Is it working?"

"Well, he doesn't have your beauty or charm," Zello admitted. "Though I am tempted to hear him out."

"Then we shall," Alliette said, folding her arm into Zello's. "Together, and after we win this match."

"And what will happen when you lose, Mistress?" Yanda asked, joining the conversation. There was competitiveness in her eyes.

"Then I shall blame my partner," Alliette said. She shared a chuckle with Yanda as they walked back to their side of the game.

"One of us will take the fall," Zello said.

"Aye, Master. I am sorry, but I think it will be you." Kelton picked up his stones and shook his arm to loosen it up.

The last battle was a long one with many low scoring rounds. Zello became adept at knocking well-placed stones out of the circle, and Kelton returned the favor. Alliette and Yanda were in a similar war, much to the amusement of the onlookers. Wisely, the crowd would cheer throws and not individuals. It would have been mutiny to cheer Yanda and Kelton, and disloyal to fellow property to cheer for Master and Mistress. An amusing diversion for a no labor day.

The last throw came down to the Yanda. Alliette had a single stone in the circle, the winning point. Yanda had only to drop inside of it or knock it out. There was silence as she let her stone go. It traveled with barely an arc, landed in front, bounced into the stick, and ricocheted out of the circle. The miss was followed by groans from the onlookers, then happy tidings for the winners.

"The match is yours, Mistress," Yanda announced with a deep bow. There was no anger in her eyes, which pleased Kelton.

"Well won, Master," Kelton said to Zello. Yanda and Alliette, both smiling, returned to Kelton's side of the game. "Well won, Mistress," Kelton repeated.

"It was a good match well played by all," Zello said. Alliette nodded her agreement. She was pleased with herself.

"I must feed Yelvin before I burst," Alliette said, adjusting the top of her dress. "After which, we will hear of your scheme, Kelton. The main house before the noon meal?"

"Aye, Mistress," Kelton said, pleased though he would have preferred Zello by himself. It is easier to sell adventure when practicality isn't present. Alliette and Zello moved off hand in hand, their steps light with victory.

"I missed well," Yanda whispered when out of the range of other ears.

"Aye, that is twice in one day." Kelton smiled. "Why?"

Yanda shrugged. "A Princess should not lose the first match in her own land. Besides, mothering saps power. The cradle of life needs victories now and again."

"Diplomatic," Kelton said with admiration.

"Good practice." Yanda nodded. Kelton could see the princess growing in her. She wouldn't be satisfied with dressmaking for long.

"Where did you get such a map?" Alliette asked as she ran her finger along the parchment, following the indicated path through the jungle.

"Korvin, Mistress," Kelton replied. "He stole it from the library, from a room he was not allowed." Zello was about to protest, and Kelton interrupted. "The Queen has forgiven him the theft and allowed me to keep it in memorial for service. She is aware of its content." Alliette chuckled.

"Will the King be so free with such a thing?" Zello asked.

"My mother will have told him," Alliette said. "It is her way to dictate things she believes trivial, then informs my father." She turned the parchment to face her and Zello. "He will not undo her dictates without great reason." Alliette smiled. "My mother makes life less bearable if her words are weakened."

"You mean us to find this path?" Zello asked. He, too, ran his finger along the route.

"Aye, Master." Kelton decided the full truth was in order. It was unfair to hide reasoning with the ones he wished to share the risk. "Both for a land route and research into the Nagada. Korvin wished it of me."

"What is the profit of such a route?" Alliette asked. Zello looked up as if her words were in his mind as well.

"I believe large, Mistress. Though Vasco and I haven't worked the sums as of yet." Kelton shrugged. "Mayhap, nothing if the map is incorrect or too old to hold true today. I admit my desire to extend Korvin's knowledge of the Nagada is strong."

"It would be an adventure," Zello said, his eyes showing excitement.

"For you," Alliette sighed. "My udders must remain here to feed our son." Zello whispered something in her ear, which made Alliette smile. Kelton looked away, recognizing the brief privacy the two needed.

"Will the King allow such a thing?" Zello asked. "I would not spring such a journey by surprise, not after your previous run-in."

"Mayhap, my father's desires are for naught," Alliette said. "Your father may find the risk too high, or the politics too entangled. It is not a decision we can make alone, not with the house's name at the head."

"There is a way to acquire the King's permission, or denial, Mistress," Kelton said. "A message of sorts can be sent without risking the house's name. I requested such a thing, and he agreed. I believe he thought it better than me putting you at risk with schemes."